The ball didn't touch the ground very often on Day 8 when Cody Vaz was throwing it

- I love the aggressiveness of cornerback Rashaad Reynolds, who is playing so well you wonder if he's going to threaten starters Jordan Poyer and Brandon Hardin in the Fall. ... as tough as Reynolds can be one-on-one vs. the WRs, there were several plays where 6-foot-5 Obum Gwacham caught balls vs. him, even though Reynolds was affixed to him like a postage stamp. "Boom'' is making a spring statement, and coach Riley is excited about that. Riley did not gush about Gwacham today, however, because it's spring ball, and the lights haven't come on yet. But keep an eye on No. 86.

- the situational scrimmage plays in practice continue, this time with Oregon State emphasizing (again) third down plays. ... Riley praised the work of back-up QB Cody Vaz, who Riley said completed about 75 percent of his passes, "which is awesome.'' ... gotta say, though, the best deep ball of the day came from Johnny Hekker when he was simulating punts by chucking the ball deep down the middle.

- the DBs, under position coach Keith Heyward, are paying special attention to stripping the ball, and they did it at least a half-dozen times Wednesday. ... Josh LaGrone disconnected Joe The Tank from the ball early in the scrimmage, and Riley yelled out, "C'mon, Joe!'' ... later, Riley praised the defensive backs for their quick hands and thieving nature. "It's good for them to practice,'' said Riley. "It's a great talent for them to have as a team, to be able to strip the ball and get the ball back. ... it's also a tremendous reminder to the WRs and the ballcarriers to hold onto it and protect it. ... we've been totally spoiled here. For three years we had a running back (Quizz) that had, what 900 carries, and NEVER fumbled. ... we've got big shoes to fill in that regard.''

6-foot-5 Obum Gwacham is a huge target

- QB Ryan Katz isn't doing the 11 on 11 stuff, just throwing in drills, and Riley said he will not be taking any snaps hunkered down behind center this spring. ... Riley said the latest doctor's report on Katz was that "throwing the ball will not re-injure his wrist.'' ... Riley said if Katz takes part in "team period'' stuff it will be out of the shotgun.

- Riley was asked to comment on the defense in general after Day 8. "We've got good speed and good talent and we've got a lot of work to do to put all the stuff together,'' was his reply. "And that applies to run defense, it applies to blitzes, ir applies to pass coverage, etc. ... guys are working hard, they've got terrific stuff and there's a lot of good stuff going on but it's only a work in progress right now.''

- WRs coach Brent Brennan's giant Q-Tip looking "Weapon'' came out again, but this time O-line coach Mike Cavanaugh was using to to bother the big guys before the snap, gently (and sometimes not so gently) tapping them on the side of the helmet with the big padded stick. ... Cav also used his tattered 'ol cap to slap the O-linemen on the helmet, which was comical to watch.''

- TB Terron Ward took a helmet to his knee and was wearing a volleyball pad on it, but still participated full speed. I asked No. 28 how he would like being the team's third-down back in the Fall. He just wants to get on the field and play, obviously. "I wouldn't have a problem with that (situational play),'' he said. "I just want to help the team as much as possible. If that's my role, then I guess I have to take it and run with it.'' ... but Ward was clear about one thing. He would love to be the FULL TIME starter.

- Ward said his NFL playing brother, former Duck T.J. Ward, tells him to keep plugging away, and to be patient, and to not be afraid (which maybe explains his ferocious blocking). "I was kind of bummed when I first got here,'' said Terron, "because I wasn't getting as much reps as I thought.'' ... so what does Quizz offer in the way of advice? "He says just be patient,'' said Ward. "As a freshman you just want to rush everything. He said slow down and let it come to me. ... like today, I messed up on a couple plays. I released on a pass blocker I should have blocked. ...''

- Ward on being ignored by everybody but Oregon State in terms of scholarship offers. "Honestly, I didn't ask (recruiters) why. I just felt like if they didn't want me, they were losing, you know? When coach Riley offered me this greyshirt opportunity I took it and ran with it and I appreciated it very much.''

- interesting that Ward heard many of the same things Quizz did coming out of Lamar Consolidated HS. Too short. Too slow. "Exactly,'' said Ward, who told me he was ready to walk on at Cal when Riley made the the greyshirt offer that changed everything.''